Xiaomi Mi 4c officially announced with USB Type-C connector and runs on Snapdragon 808 with 3 GB of RAM

Xiaomi launched their latest update to their flagship device the new Mi 4c, the Mi 4 series has been updated twice since it debut a year ago though the Mi 4i seems a bit of a downgrade when it used the lesser spec’d Snapdragon 615 but the new Mi 4c recovered from that depreciation and went to a more capable Snapdragon 808.

So the new Mi 4c is really an upgrade to the one year old Mi 4. While they share almost the same specs in most areas, the new handset is a step up in terms of performance and added to the option is the new 3 GB of RAM which gave the Mi 4c an edge to it predecessor.

Spec-wise the new Mi 4c packs a 64-bit 6-core processor on a Qualcomm Snapdragon 808 Chipset running at 1.8 GHz and Adreno 418 Graphics processor. It comes in two variants with one having a standard pair of 2 GB RAM and a 16 GB of Flash storage while the other, more spacious variant sport a 3 GB of RAM and a bit hefty 32 GB of Flash storage. Like the Mi 4, the new Mi 4c too does not include any memory expansion so you’ll be stuck with either of those two storage options.

The display is a 5-inch Full-HD IPS LCD in an ultra-thin and narrow bezel. Sunlight Display feature allows you to view your display with ease even under direct sunlight plus it includes Night reading mode which automatically sets your display brightness for comfortable reading under low light conditions.

With Mi 4’s proven excellent quality camera features, the new Mi 4c also comes with a 13 Megapixel main camera sensor with Phase Detection Autofocus and a two-tone LED flash, Depending on market, the Mi 4c might use a Sony IMX258 or a Samsung ISOCELL sensor but with Xiaomi’s custom configuration, both sensors will result into the same quality shoots despite their manufacturer difference. The front includes a 5 Megapixel Selfie camera with wide-angle lens and Beautify features which allows you to tweak your shots as soon as you take them.

The new Mi 4c includes new feature that has just started to trend up in upcoming mobile devices, it is also one of the first few devices in the market to include the new USB Type-C connector which are more faster than the regular micro-USB type and is also reversible which will also the connector work the same way however you insert them on your device. As the USB Type-C connectors is still gaining grounds on the market, Xiaomi includes an optional USB Type-C adapter for Micro-USB so you could still use you existing micro-USB cords. Embedded into the device is the large 3080 mAh high energy density battery which keeps your device running and it also support Quick Charge 2.0 that allows you to recharge your handset at almost full capacity in a short duration of time.

Xiaomi Mi 4c comes with Dual SIM slots which supports 4G SIM on both slots. Aside from 4G, the handset also support 3G/HSPA+ as well as 2G/GSM wireless connection. Other connectivity options included in the package are high-speed Wi-Fi IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac Bluetooth 4.1, GPS with A-GPS, GLONASS and Beidou support, it also comes with an InfraRed port which Xiaomi claims that is can control more than 2000 different appliances straight from the device.

Aside from upgraded hardware features, Xiaomi also includes minute but very useful addition to the user experience on the new Mi 4c. The handset comes with a Double Tap to wake feature that allows you to double tap the screen to wake the device and it also comes with a new Edge Tap feature, Xiaomi explains that the feature takes light single tap on the side of the device while on the camera app to take a photo and a double tap takes you to back to the previous screen or an app without having to reach the back button.

The new Xiaomi Mi 4c measures 138.1 x 69.6 x 7.8 mm and weighs 132 grams, it will be available today at mi.com in white, grey, pink, yellow and blue. The handset is priced at RMB 1,299 ($204) and is currently available for purchase in China. We’re not sure what “c” could actually stands for in the new Mi 4c but some believes it to be the designation of the new USB-Type C connector in the package while others claims to stand for China which the handset is believed to be exclusive for the Chinese market. It could also stand for the “colors” as the new handset is available in different color variations but the latter is more unlikely since Xiaomi already had various color options available in the series when the Mi 4i launched last summer.